Posted on 09/19/2002 10:23:35 PM PDT by HAL9000
HANOI, Vietnam (AP) -- Vietnamese officials were meeting Friday to consider whether to punish an actor branded a "national traitor" for starring with Mel Gibson in the Hollywood movie "We Were Soldiers."Authorities in Ho Chi Minh City, where actor Don Duong lives, proposed earlier that he be fined and banned from acting or leaving the country for five years for appearing in the movie, which they said distorted the history and image of Vietnamese soldiers.
Officials from the Ministry of Culture and Information were meeting Friday to consider the proposal, and will submit a recommendation to the ministry for a final decision, ministry Cinematic Department Director Nguyen Phuc Thanh said.
Vietnam's communist government has led a strident campaign against "We Were Soldiers" in the country's state-controlled media.
The movie, not approved for sale in Vietnam but widely available on bootleg DVDs, depicts a bloody three-day battle in November 1965 in Vietnam's Ia Drang valley, the first major clash between the North Vietnamese army and U.S. troops in the Vietnam War.
In the film, the U.S. troops have little idea of what they face and are overrun and suffer heavy casualties. Both sides are portrayed as courageous and self-sacrificing, while their families are shown grieving the deaths of their loved ones.
The movie is based on the book "We Were Soldiers Once ... and Young" by the U.S. commander in the battle, retired Lt. Gen. Harold G. Moore.
Duong played commander Nguyen Huu An, who led the Vietnamese soldiers to victory.
Duong, one of Vietnam's most popular actors, has appeared in numerous domestic movies about the war. He also played the role of a refugee camp translator in "Green Dragon," a movie directed by Vietnamese American Tony Linh Bui about Vietnamese who fled the country after the end of the war and dreamed of living in the United States.
"Both movies distort the legitimate war history of our people and the humanity of the Vietnamese," army newspaper Quan Doi Nhan Dan (People's Army) said in a front-page article Wednesday.
The newspaper demanded stern punishment for Duong.
"By becoming a propagandist and henchman for 'hostile forces' and tarnishing the Vietnamese soldiers and people, Don Duong has sold his conscience cheaply and become a national traitor," it said.
Duong couldn't be reached for comment, but in an earlier interview with The Associated Press, he said he was surprised at the reaction and has decided not to play any more roles in foreign movies about the Vietnam War.
Vietnamese movies about the war invariably portray Vietnamese soldiers as noble and Americans as cruel murderers.
Thank you for the Live Streaming Links to the WEEKDAY M-F Judicial Watch Report Radio Show ...also links to Radio Shows in each area.
The JUDICIAL WATCH Report Radio Show may be focusing in on the DON DUONG Case at 10:06 am Pacific, 1:06 pm Eastern Time
So many Vietnam movies like the Deer Hunter were so graphic that they fullfilled the purpose of the Leftist moviemakers, and turned young Americans into fearful wimps!
Hmmm. The Democrat Leadership is still counting on the Fear Factor to turn public opinion against War with Iraq...
I hear that Mel Gibsons movie is the Best Vietnam movie to come out because it is everything the Leftist Movies were not, it focus' on the Reality of the HORROR of Communism and the EVIL they would do to this world and all of Humanity if they took control.
We are seeing the HORROR today, as is Don Duong, as he is repeatedly interrogated, for hours on end, by the Vietnamese Communists, the same enemy that were fought by the Hero's of the film, WE WERE SOLDIERS.
I am so glad that you and others saw the movie and can spread it's truth to the rest of us.
Bump!
Oh, and you aren't a victim. You are a survivor of liberal left brainwashing. :o)
Thank you for the kind words. Yes, I think I got the message that the producers, author, and actors of this movie intended to convey. I find it deeply disturbing that the Vietnamese actor is being persecuted in such a manner by his country. Would that every human could live as free as we do here in this blessed country. It is a shame to see a government such as the North Vietnemese government hang on to such hostility instead of releasing the power of forgiveness and thus allowing freedom to their own people.
On another note, like I mentioned, this movie has changed my attitude towards soldiers, war, etc. Now, I am in no way an enemy sympathizer and I fully support our soldiers 200% in any conflict that they are commanded into. I am also not an "anti war" person either. I do wish that we could live peaceably with all men but I know that isn't the case, unfortunately.
I am only 35 years old and am of the post Vietnam era. I never have had a full understanding of the war itself. You know, the why's and such. But, to the credit of some amazing parents ( father served in the Air Force ) and some wonderful neighbors ( an exceptional Special Forces Vietnem Vet ) I grew up with a great appreciation for our armed services. I fully understand their sacrifices and those of their fallen brethren and the families of such.
Growing up as a girl my heroes were the soldiers of my neighbor's unit that came to the field in front of our home every Saturday and played softball. We had a softball or football game and barbeque here every weekend rain or shine and the fellowship with these young men enriched my life. This went on for years and yound men came and went always replaced by someone new to become acquainted with. We "played" with the young trainess who were "spotted" in the woods here locally and received MRE's and spent ammo shells as "treats" from them for giving directions and such. Those that were known to be camping in the area were often given homemade treats such as lemonaide and cookies in exchange as well. I remember telling my mom many times that I was so concerned that these men were away from their homes and "all alone". At least that is how I perceived it as a child. :o) Living all of my life between Ft. Bragg and Camp MacKall NC has exposed me to a group of men that "normal Americans' could only dream of having the pleasure to meet. I salute each one of them for their service and their kindness to me as a child.
I am sorry for the rant. Just wanted to share some of my personal reasons for my appreciation for the men and women who serve and are serving this wonderful country that I love dearly.
Thank you for your kind words!
I tutor a young man who graduated High School barely knowing how to read. He is 21, Hispanic and recently was asking me tons of questions about Iraq and President Bush and he expressed real concern about being drafted into war.
I told him about my own feelings about war, and my queasy stomach, and also about how the liberal-leaning-war films had helped add to my *feelings*!
I also told him about the film WE WERE SOLDIERS and that the film was more realistic in showing the Communist as evil and in making young men understand the battle between good and evil.
The next time we got together, he proudly announced that he had gone right out to rent the DVD...AND HE LOVED IT!
Another Brainwashed AMERICAN Wakes up! :)
Thank you for your kind words!
I tutor a young man who graduated High School barely knowing how to read. He is 21, Hispanic and recently was asking me tons of questions about Iraq and President Bush and he expressed real concern about being drafted into war.
I told him about my own feelings about war, and my queasy stomach, and also about how the liberal-leaning-war films had helped add to my *feelings*!
I also told him about the film WE WERE SOLDIERS and that the film was more realistic in showing the Communist as evil and in making young men understand the battle between good and evil.
The next time we got together, he proudly announced that he had gone right out to rent the DVD...AND HE LOVED IT!
Another Brainwashed AMERICAN Wakes up! :)
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